Thread: What if it is larger than the size of a pencil?

Dave

It is probably acceptable if it is pine, packing case material, but otherwise counselling is in order. Be comforted in the knowledge that it is treatable.

Regards
paul

Unless it’s something exotic like ebony, if it’s smaller than about 20x20 it’s kindling.

The struggle is real

I have a small stack of offcuts in the shed. Well when I say small, it is getting bigger. I am afraid to get to close in case it falls on me. It is a problem I am trying to get help for.

As apprentices we were tought the value of offcuts, particularly in exotics. Cedar strips were whittled into fishing floats, teak was fashioned into serving spoons etc. Mahogany, even as small as a match stick, was prized for making grand piano shaped jewellery boxes. The match stick sized pieces were laminated with similar sized Holly sticks then fashioned into tiny cabriole legs which displayed white diamonds when shaped. The holly was also used along with tiny bits of ebony to make the key board. Girlfriends loved them. Twentyfirst birthday keys were also popular for slightly larger offcuts. Gum leaf earrings, heart pendants, wooden rings, drink coasters, gear stick knobs, etc, etc. All from scraps.

wait until you NEED to move into a smaller shed

I started doing this 6 months ago, now sorting out if I'll ever use it or ......................... big cry

it has to be smaller than a toothpick in my shop...

Glad to know this is a common affliction, less glad that there is no quick cure

I've started gluing up offcuts together and making boxes out of them - and finally used some 90mm decking board offcuts that were used to make planter boxes and a gate at my old house... that we left 6 years ago. I think I'm going to have a lot of oddly sized boxes.

I tell myself "waste not, want not" as I trip over another another box of offcuts.

plates.jpgHere's an example of what I do with smaller pieces. These wooden plates are used for toast or snacks etc...

I work with expensive timbers so i keep most offcuts that can be used for dividers, box feet or to make lift out trays. Quite often I'll need a thin piece and i can usually find an off cut to suit.

Nothing worse than needing a 50 x 5 at a few hundred mm long and having to slice up a billet to get it

Once a year or so ill go through the pile pick out what i think is handy, burn the rest and start again